Bainbridge school reports case of whooping cough

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — A case of pertussis was confirmed at the Commodore Options School on Bainbridge Island, according to a letter from the Kitsap Public Health District to parents and teachers.

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, can cause symptoms ranging from a mild cough to severe coughing and vomiting.

Despite the whooping cough confirmation on Bainbridge, Kitsap Public Health District spokeswoman Cris Craig said the number of cases is actually waning in the county.

"It's on the downside," she said. "We'll still see some cases here and there, but the cycle of reported cases appears to be declining steadily."

Since December 2011, 77 whooping cough cases have been reported in Kitsap, Craig said.

There were no reports in the first half of August, she said, but two in the second half of August.

The health district advised parents and Commodore staff members to monitor children closely for the next 21 days, and if they have symptoms to stay home and contact a health care provider. Infants, pregnant women in their third trimester or people close to either who know they've been in contact with someone with pertussis should also contact their health care provider.

Craig said 43 percent of the 77 reported whooping cough cases was in kids between the ages of 1 and 10. Kids ages 11 to 18 accounted for 35 percent of the cases, and 14 percent were adults ages 19 to 64.